Monday, 25 June 2012

NASHIK: The police will distribute pamphlets to spread awareness among citizens and the business community with regard to security.

The pamphlets that will be distributed through all 11 police stations list a number of security tips like safety measures for women when they venture out of their homes for shopping or for a walk. Women have been urged to ensure that no one is following them either on foot in an auto or on a motorcycle. They have been told to secure jewellery they are wearing too.

In the event of an attempt of chain-snatching, the woman should raise an alarm and take down the number of the vehicle and inform the police as soon as possible.

Thursday, 21 June 2012

While it's difficult to protect your home from professional thieves, most home burglaries are done by amateurs. These thieves are more easily thwarted if you employ some of these simple security precautions:

*Plan to "burglarize" yourself. You'll discover any weaknesses in your security system that may have previously escaped your notice.

*Lock up your home, even if you go out only for a short time. Many burglars just walk in through an unlocked door or window.

*Change all the locks and tumblers when you move into a new house.

*For the most effective alarm system, conceal all wiring. A professional burglar looks for places where he or she can disconnect the security system.

*Your house should appear occupied at all times. Use timers to switch lights and radios on and off when you're not at home.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Hosni Mubarak's move from jail to a Cairo military hospital where officials said he was slipping in and out of a coma on Wednesday created fresh uncertainty for Egyptians as officials delayed the announcement of a presidential election result.

The main gate of Maadi military hospital, where Mubarak was transferred from Tora prison, is seen on the outskirts of Cairo June 20, 2012. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Claims of fraud from both camps fuelled unease in a nation where rigged ballots were the norm under Mubarak and where his fellow generals have moved to curb the power of the new head of state. Now that results will not be announced on Thursday, clarity may not emerge until a full week after polling ended.

The Muslim Brotherhood, whose candidate Mohamed Morsy claimed victory on Monday, threatened to take to the streets if Ahmed Shafik, a former general and Mubarak ally, was declared the winner. However, a leading Islamist told Reuters there would be no violence of the sort that devastated Algeria in the 1990s.

And the Shafik camp, while insisting its data meant it was also confident of victory, called for unity, saying its candidate would offer senior posts to the Brotherhood and, if he lost, would accept defeat and be willing to serve under Morsy.

PUTRAJAYA: TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad has voiced his doubts on the need for freedom of assembly in the country.

"I believe it is not going to work.

"The opposition has already made up its mind in winning the next general election.

"They are very frustrated because since independence, there has only been one party elected to govern this country for over 55 years."

The former prime minister said the opposition would do anything to win. One of them was by accusing the government of not conforming to liberal ideas regarding democracy. They also claimed that the people were not given full freedom.

"The government's response, of course, is to try and accommodate them. But we must examine the situation carefully."

Blaming the idea of freedom of assembly on Western countries, Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was fortunate that throughout the years, the country had been relatively stable and thus, able to grow much faster than other developing countries.

He said although Malaysia was safe and peaceful, the police would continue to monitor the situation with the cooperation of the relevant agencies, especially the Immigration Department, and also international agencies.

"We want our country to remain safe and the people to always feel safe to move about," he told reporters after visiting the Taman Berjaya Market at Nibong Tebal here in conjunction with the high profile policing programme.

He said preventive measures were taken by the police to avoid terrorist activities in the country.

It is also a public responsibility to report to the police of suspicious characters or activities in their neighbourhood, he added. – Bernama

ALOR SETAR -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the sacrifices made by the security forces in ensuring prevailing peace had enabled the goverment to focus on developing the nation.

He said development went on smoothly and the invaluable contributions of members of the security forces towards this were appreciated and recognised by the people.

"While we are fast sleep, members of the armed forces and police watch out for subversive elements out to destroy the country and gangs of criminals. Before the country's independence, they fought against the invaders and then against communist insurgents.

"But how big were the rewards they received? My presence here today is to give recognition to them," said Muhyiddin in his speech at 'An Evening with the Deputy Prime Minister' function with retirees from the armed forces, police and Prisons Department at the Royal Malaysian Air Force field in Kepala Batas, here, today.

He said the people should always be reminded to appreciate the fruit of independence as many countries did not turn out to be peaceful after independence from colonial rule due to civil war and turmoil, resulting in foreign power intervention. -- Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) has reassured that it is continuously improving security measures to ensure its toll plaza attendants are safe at all times.

"The safety of our staff are of utmost importance and PLUS has a safety procedure that needs to be followed when managing toll collection," said PLUS chief operations officer, Mohammad Fuad Khusairi, in a statement today.

However, PLUS said the safety procedure could not be revealed to the public as this could be dangerous to toll plaza attendants as it involved their movements when dealing with collections.

Last Friday, two toll plaza attendants were injured after they were shot in a robbery at 10pm at the Seremban toll plaza north-bound. -- BERNAMA

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Facebook is in the process of reminding every user that a few simple security measures can help them protect their account from those on the interwebs who would wish to use it for dastardly purposes.

When they first log in, many users are seeing a new box on the very top of their News Feed, above the status update box. The box sports the Facebook Security shield and prompts users to “Stay in control of your account by following these simple security tips.” There’s also a link, which takes you straight to the Security on Facebook page.

There, users are presented with a little dashboard that can direct them to various security tips. This includes a scam tutorial that take users on a tour of all the malicious ways that you could see your account compromised like “please send money” scams, phishing scams, scripts, and suspicious notifications. The security page also prompts users to reset their password, especially if their Facebook password is no different from their email password.

Of course, having the same password for multiple services increases the risk of having those services compromised.

Facebook also asks users to confirm their mobile number, so that they can text you your password in situations where account recovery is necessary (lost password, hacked accounts, etc.)

PETALING JAYA: The haze which enveloped residents in Selangor appears to be moving north to Perak, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan.

While the skies over Selangor have cleared significantly with no more unhealthy air quality areas, certain spots in the northern states are on the brink of charting 100 on the Air Pollutant Index.

According to the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index (API), Seri Manjung registered 97, Seberang Jaya was 96 while Sungai Petani was 95 as at 5pm yesterday.

On the other hand, Port Klang, which consistently recorded the highest API in the past five days with numbers close to 150, registered an API of 79.

Haze attack: Komtar Tower is barely visible, as seen from the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang at 11.30am yesterday. (Below) The haze has enveloped the skies over the waters surrounding Penang.

Other areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are registering readings of between 60 and 72.

Images from the NOAA-18 satellite, operated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also showed 310 hotspots in Sumatra as of yesterday morning.

It was reported that the haze was the result of peat and forest fires in the Riau district in central Sumatra and might prolong because of the drought there, which might last until July.

The current hot and wet weather in Malaysia, caused by the southwest monsoon, may also last until September.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant has given its green light for the company to be awarded a temporary operating licence (TOL) as it has met all the requirements.

In its report tabled in the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday, the PSC recommended for the TOL to be issued so that the plant can process raw materials in stages while being monitored by enforcement agencies.

The 71-page report was tabled by committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin with Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia reserving time for it to be debated by lawmakers.

The report contains the committee's findings and recommendations following three public hearings held in Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur to gather feedback from individuals, interest groups and experts on the rare earth plant in Gebeng, Pahang.

"The committee is satisfied that the Lynas project has complied with standards and laws in Malaysia, which are in line with international practices.

"In fact, more stringent rules have been imposed on the plant compared to international standards," it said in the report that puts forward 31 recommendations.

The PSC said it was also satisfied that the project has in place a system that ensured public safety and environmental protection.

"At this point, the plant has met all the licensing conditions as well as additional requirements imposed on it. Such data will be the basis for consideration in the next step in the licensing process," it said.

In the latest Global Peace Index 2012 we are No.20 from the top, yup you guys read it right we are in the top 20 of peaceful nations from 158 nations of the world.

"The world has become more peaceful for the first time since 2009, according to the 2012 Global Peace Index. All regions excluding the Middle East and North Africa saw an improvements in levels of overall peacefulness.

Monday, 18 June 2012

THE Education Ministry will standardise the security level of schools registered with it to provide

a safer environment for students.

Under the initiative, all government and government-aided schools would have to manage six standard safety-related measures in the next few months, said ministry deputy director-general (education operation sector) Sufaat Tumin.

The measures are students’ safety during school activities, school security guards, school infrastructure, social ills, security during crises and disasters, and safety in the face of threats.

“Schools must pass an evaluation (by the ministry) to be labelled as safe,” he told the New Straits Times.

There will also be collaborations with parent-teacher associations (PTAs), principals, police, Welfare Department and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) in hot spots or areas with potential threats to students’ safety.

Sufaat said: “In these areas, volunteers will patrol or monitor school areas during peak hours.”

He said schools that could afford closed- circuit television (CCTV) systems would be encouraged to install them with the support of PTAs and security companies.

LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung has said that much of the services provided by local councils is not up to the mark.As a regular and faithful rate payer to the local council for a few decades now, I could not agree more with what the minister has said.

At full flight: A file picture showing an unmanned US ‘Predator’ drone flying over Kandahar Air Field, southern Afghanistan, on a moonlit night. — AP

Afghanistan who fought Soviet occupiers in the 1980s, for example. In recent years the US military’s secretive commando units have operated more widely, even in countrieswhere the US is not at war, and that’s blurred the lines between the intelligence and military spheres.

MALACCA: WHILE some wept for members of their families, relatives and friends who had succumbed to cancer, others celebrated for having survived the illness.

Despite the mixed emotions, all those who attended the state's chapter of the Relay For Life (RFL) Malacca 2012 had one common goal -- to fight cancer.

Relay For Life Malaysia 2012 chairman Datuk Zuraidah Atan said the event honoured and celebrated every cancer survivor's life.

"As we find inspiration in their strength and perseverance, we do not forget those lost to cancer as they will always be remembered and we hope that, one day, cancer will be eliminated.

"Most people deem cancer as a grim subject, but the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) thinks otherwise and through RFL, hopes to show the other side of cancer, which comprises determination, strength and hope."

GOING HI-TECH: The Malaysian electronics sector grow from the 1970s when the government realised the importance of the sector as a driver for the overall Malaysian economy. Now, Malaysia has the opportunity to position itself as a world class semiconductor and solar cell manufacturing destination

KUCHING: Malaysia has the opportunity to emerge as a world class front end semiconductor manufacturing destination if more attention is given to high-value activities such as research and development (R&D) or high-end manufacturing.

The electronic industry thus far has been focusing on the lower value end of the market, said Cory D’Abreo, International Investor country publisher, adding that initiatives to move the industry upwards could position Malaysia as a world class semiconductor and solar cell manufacturing destination.

In 2010, the electronic sector contributed an average of 40 per cent of the total overall export revenue for the country with key export markets being the US, China and Singapore. It was expected to account for 38 per cent of employment in various roles, with the majority supporting manufacturing activities.

“2010 was a growth year for the Malaysian manufacturing sector, largely driven by strong external demand and improved global sentiments. This growth was lead by the electronic and electrical (E&E) sector which registered a robust growth in production,” D’Abreo added.

For the first nine months of 2010, E&E products export reached US$59.7 billion (RM189 billion) and accounted for 39.5 per cent of total exports. The major category, integrated circuits, dominated with 26.9 per cent of total exports of E&E products.

However, increased competition from neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand due to their lower manufacturing costs had caused a decline in low cost electronics manufacturing in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in the higher end market, Singapore and Taiwan continued to dominate as the key investment destination for companies in the higher value sector.

Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was once a glittering star in PAS but his run-in with the Johor Sultan is the latest in a string of controversies that has affected his political image.

DATUK Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is still reeling from the storm whipped up by no less than himself. The political fallout from the former Perak Mentri Besar’s tweet about the exclusive WWW 1 vehicle registration number has been greater than he could have imagined.— ABDUL RAHMAN EMBONG/THE StarRoyal rebuke: The Sultan of Johor was visibly overwhelmed by the show of loyalty by his subjects over the WWW 1 issue. With him at the rally were (from his right) royal consort Raja Zarith Sofiah, Tunku Mahkota Tunku Ismail and Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris.

It was the fifth such launch after the Felda Selangor Territorial Army launch in Felda Gedangsa, the Felda Johor Territorial Army company in Felda Nitar, the Felda Terengganu Territorial Army in Felda Gugusan Kerteh, and the Felda Sabah Territorial Army in Felda Sahabat 3.

Rozali said the formation of territorial armies in Felda settlements would be extended to all 317 Felda schemes nationwide.

He said their setting up were aimed at educating the Felda community on the duties and roles of the voluntary territorial armies.

"It also provides a platform for the younger generation of the Felda community to join in the regiment, provided they are qualified.

"Ultimately, we hope to increase the number of territorial armies nationwide in line with government's efforts," he said.

Towards this end, Rozali said they aimed to increase the membership of territorial armies by roping in children of Felda settlers.

You can probably guess what Malaysians say their most important political issue is: the economy. But do you know the second most important issue? The answer is: crime. News of crime features strongly in the media and is a natural concern for all decent citizens. That’s why one of our country’s achievements that we should be proud of is our ranking by the Global Peace Index which ranked Malaysia as the safest country in Southeast Asia.

There is never room for complacency in this area, though – there will always be a minority who selfishly break the rules of our society for their own gain. So let me explain what we are doing to keep up the momentum. The Crime Busting National Key Result Area (NKRA) has several specific targets to reduce crime and aims to improve the performance of the PDRM.

This NKRA seeks to optimize resources and focus on certain common crimes. For instance, vehicle theft, which is the most common crime, was singled out and tackled by more frequently patrolling housing areas, parked cars and motorbikes as well as enforcement against illegal workshops that contribute to vehicle theft.

Fortunately in Malaysia, we are spared from catastrophic crime, attributed mainly to the efficiency of the PDRM’s counter-terrorism team. Research according to the NKRA annual report showed that between 2006-2009, street crime was the main contributing factor to crime committed in Malaysia. A lot of the progress in reducing street crime is down to the expansion of the Omnipresence and Safe City Programmes, by hiring and deploying more personnel to the streets as well as upgrading and installing infrastructure.

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Kota Kinabalu was shocked by the incident unusual shaped cloud, very rarely do we see clouds like this before and may have never been. Strange clouds formingat 7:50 to 9:15 am June 12, 2012. When pictures are taken, the weather is stablewithout the wind and rain. However, by noon, tempest with rain swept across theWest Coast

But by noon, tempest with rain swept across the west coast of Sabah. This warninghas been issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

With Putrajaya Shangri La as your base, Putrajaya is easy to access. If you don’t consider driving around ogling at the majestic buildings, a pursuit of leisure, the garden city has more than just what meets the eyes. Try these five activities.

1. Discover nature

Enjoy the greenery at the nearest park such as Taman Botani which was designed as an arcadia for the country’s living collection of plant taxonomy. There are about 700 species of plants in the park and it captures the full diversity of tropical flowers.

2. Bird watching

Wildlife lovers especially bird watchers should not miss a visit to Putrajaya Wetlands, an area of 335 hectares, believed to be the largest constructed freshwater wetlands in the tropics. Get your binoculars out and look for several species of local marshland birds and water birds such as Little Egret and Green Heron.

3. Romantic cruise

If you love to do something romantic with your loved ones, go on a Cruise Tasik in Putrajaya Lake and marvel at some of the landscape and unique architectural structures of the city. Cruise Tasik also offers sassy romantic dinner on the boat.

4. Spa indulgence

Pamper yourself at the spa villa of Putrajaya Shangri La hotel. Relax and enjoy some choice treatments and pressure massages.

5. Go cycling

Putrajaya is also a favourite spot for cycling. Bicycle rental booths are available in Taman Botani, Cruise Tasik jetty and Taman Putra Perdana. Enjoy the view and serenity of Putrajaya in the evening and witness the amazing structures of Putrajaya at night as you leisurely go along the cycling route. Putrajaya also has a Challenge Park where you can go wild with your bike and gear.-NST

KUALA LUMPUR: WITH Barisan Nasional’s proven track record, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has pledged a better future for young voters if they threw their support behind the coalition. Tomorrow would be much better than today, Najib said.

“We have proven that we can deliver. Young people want opportunities for advancement and a better quality of life. BN can fulfil their aspirations.”

All races, including the Chinese, would profit, said Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, while engaging with more than 1,500 people in cyberspace via NSTLive online chat at Balai Berita yesterday. Najib said Chinese voters had to understand that their future would be better with BN since it could ensure peace, stability, harmony and a more prosperous society.

“The major difference is that the degree of certainty with respect to our ability to deliver is much greater,” he said when asked on a possible tough time securing urban votes, especially among the Chinese electorate.

On his optimism that BN and Umno would perform better in the next general election, Najib said it was based on the positive vibes he felt from the people when he went to the ground.

“I am encouraged by the response that I can gauge directly from the rakyat, especially when I meet them in my countless visits throughout the country.

Tuesday, 12 June 2012

MALAYSIA, in its pursuit to become a developed and high-income nation, will not pursue the goal at the cost of the environment and its natural treasure, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.

He said the government had introduced various laws and policies to preserve the country's fauna and flora, including the implementation of the National Policy on Biological Diversity and Common Vision on Biodiversity.

"We also have strategic and long-term plans to help conserve our biodiversity and we are also committed to ensure that at least 50 per cent of our land remain under forest cover as pledged in the Rio Summit in 1992," said Muhyiddin to reporters after visiting the Malaysian pavilion at the Yeosu Expo 2012.

Therefore, Muhyiddin urged all parties -- state governments, local authorities and the public -- to support sustainable development to ensure that the environment would not be affected by rapid progress.

"It is important for us to consider the long-term impact of any development projects so that future generations will not suffer.

China will loan two endangered baby pandas to Malaysia for 10 years to commemorate strong diplomatic ties between the two Asian countries, the environment ministry said Tuesday.

"The Malaysian government will be receiving a pair of pandas following an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association," the Natural Resources and Environment ministry said in a statement.

"This agreement shows Malaysia's commitment towards China's efforts in increasing the number of endangered giant pandas, which is estimated at about 1,600 only," it added.

A news report Tuesday said Prime Minister Najib Razak had recently requested for the pandas during a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The pandas will be kept in special enclosures in a wetland park in Putrajaya, just south of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The environment ministry said the presence of the pandas in Malaysia would promote awareness of panda conservation in China.

LAST year, there were 4,000 new patients with kidney failure in the country who needed dialysis treatment, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Globally, more than 500 million individuals or about 1 in 10 adults have some form of chronic kidney disease.

CKD is when the kidneys can no longer eliminate bodily waste because of several factors — such as infections or underlying chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.

According to the NKF, the number of CKD patients in need of dialysis increases every year, with 24,000 on treatment last year.

Besides the growing number of patients, what is even scarier is that many people are unaware that their kidneys are damaged until it is too late.

“The signs and symptoms will only appear in later stages. It’s a silent killer, but preventable if the public is willing to make some simple changes in their lifestyle,” says NKF honorary secretary Dr JD John.

A sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits are the two main culprits of kidney failure.

“Lack of exercise and eating too much fast food or processed food as well as sweetened drinks can lead to various illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. More than 60 per cent of new cases develope from high blood pressure and diabetes,” says Dr John who adds that kidney disease can also develop from infection, inflammation of blood vessels in the kidneys, kidney stones and cysts.

SUNGAI SIPUT: THE three schoolboys who went "missing" on Saturday were found safe and sound on Sunday.

They went "missing" all in the name of having some good time.The three-P. Muganasundram, 12, Nur Muhamad Nazir Hussein, 12, and S. Vijay, 13, -- decided to return home on Sunday after having their fill of good time.

The Year Six pupils of SK Kampung Muhibbah were nearing Sungai Siput town when they were spotted by Civil Defence Department officers at 7pm near Rimba Panjang, 3km away from their homes.

The officers were among police, Rela members, residents and Sungai Siput Barisan Nasional division members who were mobilised after a report was lodged by their parents when the boys failed to return home on Saturday evening.

The boys told their parents on Saturday morning that they were going for extra classes at their school at 7am.

However, by afternoon their parents learnt that there was no extra class at the school.

Vijay said he and his two friends had cycled to the Ulu Chepor picnic site, located 20km from here, for a swim.

This was based on figures from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the National Registration Department (NRD).

“Among the reasons for the increase in divorce rates is early marriage, which we are trying to mitigate through counselling. Another factor is change in lifestyle,” he said after presenting a briefing on the report here.